J Rehabil Med. 2026 Apr 16;58:jrm45503. doi: 10.2340/jrm.v58.45503.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether early multidimensional mobility assessments discriminate independent ambulation and functional independence on discharge in subacute stroke inpatients with supervised walking ability.
DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.
SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Fifty subacute stroke inpatients (≤ 5 months post-stroke).
METHODS: Independent ambulation and functional independence were defined as Functional Ambulation Category ≥ 4 and Modified Barthel Index 75 on discharge, respectively. Discriminative ability of admission assessments was evaluated using univariate binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
RESULTS: The Berg Balance Scale and the modified Four Square Step Test demonstrated the highest discriminative performance. For independent ambulation, the Berg Balance Scale (≥ 40.5) yielded an area under the curve of 0.74 (95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.88) with 82% accuracy, and the modified Four Square Step Test (≤ 31.52 s) yielded an area under the curve of 0.78 (0.64-0.91) with 80% accuracy. For functional independence, the Berg Balance Scale (≥ 42.5) yielded an area under the curve of 0.74 (0.60-0.88) with 74% accuracy, and the modified Four Square Step Test (≤ 32.88 s) yielded an area under the curve of 0.71 (0.57-0.86) with 70% accuracy.
CONCLUSION: Early balance and multidirectional stepping performance may be useful for screening to support goal-setting and discharge planning.
PMID:41988966 | DOI:10.2340/jrm.v58.45503